WTA Strasbourg, Semi Final: Buzarnescu v Cibulkova

Long match expected but I favour Cibulkova to win in 3 sets

Due to start at 1 pm

Buzarnescu 2.28, Cibulkova 1.76

Cibulkova won their only previous meeting. That was in an ITF clay semi final in August 2006. She won in 3 sets.

Overall results favour Buzarnescu in the last 12 months. Her clay results are also stronger. Their clay win loss ratios are not that different but Buzarnescu has played more matches and has a higher ROI.

Cibulkova beat defending champion Sam Stosur in straight sets in the quarter final. She has not lost a set so far this week. Last week in Rome she took the opening set from Sharapova. She only has second round ranking points to defend at the French Open so I would hope she will go for the title this week.

Dominika Cibulkova

Buzarnescu beat Hsieh in straight sets in the quarter final. Hsieh was pretty disappointing and served badly. Perhaps she picked up an injury in the previous round. Stats for the tournament favour Buzarnescu. She did not play the French Open last season

Some value on Buzarnescu and I expect her to take a set but if Cibulkova is still up for the fight I give her the edge to win in 3 sets.